A Contradiction: By Captain A. E. N. Howard, Late R. H. and R. F. A.: Views of Lord Newton and Other Writers The writer of the article in the "Spectator" reprinted in the "North China Daily News" last Wednesday states that some relaxation in the passport restrictions would advantageous both to us and to, Russia, the most exclusive country in the world to-day. Russia refuses more passports, going and coming, than any nation has had occasion to do since there were passports, Only. a few months past certain trade union deles pointed a committee to country. One man was not wanted because he could speak Russian, and therefore, presumably, would not be entirely dependent on the official interpreters for his views a: to how free, happy, and prosperous the slaves of Bolshevism are. Another man had a reputation for difficult eyes over which to pull wool, The restrictions are on the side of as who shall, or who shall not, enter their country and whap is more important—who shall leave it alive.
Despite the fact that the Soviet Government is recognized by almost all the Powers (it has concluded commercial treaties with a large. number of countries and concession: have been granted to numerous, capitalists), has there been a successful development of Russo-Eurpean economic relations? Not the slightest! With the United States ut America I admit the ease is different for that country is doing big business with Soviet Russia but, apart from all treaties and all dz jure recognitions the num er of business men who Russia and trade with Russia still very small. Why? Because having a finely developed—feeling for conditions in those countries with which they desire to.onter into trade relations, business men have no confidence in the conditions obtaining in Bolshevik Russia, Lop-sided Trading I will give an instance of the! wort of lop-sided trading Bolshe-via desires. Comrade Krassin, Soviet envoy, and also Commis of Foreign Trade, has laid it down that in placing orders abroad the Soviets must take care "to avoid fall monopolistic tendencies in any be assisted and financed, with the aid of the Communists who have secured a footing in the trade-unions.
In order to support the Red Army—which alone stands between them and death or flight from the hands of the maddened and starved people of Russia—Bolshevist mud ers of a nation are not only realizing everything which can -be exported, but they are offering concessions of all kinds to foreigners Russian properties.. Having stolen the property of British citizens to the tune of tens of.
ns_ of pounds Sterling, the Bolsheviks are now busily engaged in trying to sell the products. to the detriment of British trade.
The Soviet Government has never yet taken any steps towards the: restoration of its abundant loot.
With these and numerous other irrefutable facts, will any of my readers doubt the undesirability "of closer business relations between the two countries?"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.